Guide to Wine Scores

Owners Emily and Lee Fergestrom broke ground on their winery and tasting room in 2019, but when the construction was finally completed in mid-2020 they were forced to do a virtual opening due to the stay-at-home mandates at that time. Despite the hurtles, the dynamic couple remain optimistic. “We purchased the property because we loved the outdoor experience it provides people, … [Read more...] about Fortuity Cellars Showcases Yakima Valley Appellation

Washington State is little known for producing world-class Pinot Noir, a challenging feat anywhere in the world, however Spoiled Dog Winery on Whidbey Island is changing that perception one bottle of Pinot at a time. Founded in 2003 by Jack and Karen Krug, the winery expanded its family roots when second generation members Jake and Lindsay Krug moved to Whidbey with their … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Spoiled Dog Winery

Hungarian-born Sandor Faludi grew up in a wine region where he says most of his neighbors tended a small vineyard for the purpose of making their own wine. With winemaking in his genealogy, Sandor and his wife Sabrina moved to Sonoma County in 2010 where he continued to hone his winemaking style as assistant winemaker at Derbès Wines, a five-acre estate winery in the Russian … [Read more...] about 2 Releases From Prohibition Cellars

In 2020, Annette Bergevin and company relocated their tasting room across town to The Showroom on Colville, a market hall that brings together a collection of shops, wine and food. “This is more than just an opening, this is more than just a tasting room for us,” says owner Annette Bergevin. “This space has been years in the making and our new tasting room is finally a … [Read more...] about Bergevin Lane Vineyards Continues To Impress Despite Challenges

Pursuing a long-time dream of opening a winery, Doug and Kimberley Bianchi relocated from Western Washington to East Wenatchee after purchasing a farm overlooking the Columbia River Valley. Doug was on a business trip in Wenatchee when he stumbled upon the ideal vineyard and winery property. But he needed Kimberley’s blessing to make the move. “I recall Kim saying, ‘Let me … [Read more...] about Inaugural Releases From Bianchi Vineyards

Jason Smith’s first career was in high tech, which prompted him to name his winery after the ethernet networking cable referred to as “Cat 5 wire.” Newly opened in the Winery Warehouse District in August 2020, Jason employs technology to create a unique tasting venue. “All our lights are WiFi LED that can change between 16 million colors,” he explains. “We can light the room to … [Read more...] about 3 Releases From Category 5 Cellars

Jay Krutulis, a former corporate attorney, and Matt Reilly, who left behind an architecture career to make wine, met during enrollment for enology and viticulture classes in Walla Walla. “It quickly became apparent to both of us that we shared well-aligned perspectives on wines and winemaking,” Jay says. “We began to formulate the idea for a winery that would become Prospice.” … [Read more...] about Prospice Wines Opens In Walla Walla’s Airport District

Rocky Pond Estate Winery has moved from Woodinville's warehouse winery district into a sleek tasting room located across town in the hip, urban Woodin Creek Village complex. Borrowing a page from the playbook of Napa Valley wineries, they now offer illuminating chef-driven food and wine pairings that bring an elevated experience to wine tasting. There’s a ton of seating … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Estate Winery Elevates Wine Experience With Chef-Curated Pairings

Mercer Estates Winery rolled out a nationwide can wine brand in 2019 called ICAN. Great for on-the-go consumers, all ICAN products are rechillable, resealable and recyclable. In 2020 they extended the popular ICAN brand with a line of Hard Seltzers. The four wine-based hard seltzers we reviewed are all-natural, gluten-free and vegan—made with natural fruit flavors local to … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates Introduces the ICAN Hard Seltzer Series

“We were lucky to have moved close to Poulsbo. It is such a unique, historical and beloved Nordic waterfront town,” says Gretchen Adams. She and her husband Les opened the storefront tasting room on the city’s Front Street, a popular place for tourists, boaters and locals. The couple share equally in the winemaking duties. After her oldest son was born, Gretchen decided to … [Read more...] about State 42 Wines Comes To Poulsbo

This is the tale of two brothers and a close friend, working together with a goal of making the best Zinfandel wines. Winemaker Mike Wisler took a trip to Healdsburg, CA in 2011 and got hooked on Zinfandel. His brother Brian had originally introduced Mike to premium wines from Napa and Washington. The brothers met Tim Oas, now a pastor, and the three quickly bonded over a … [Read more...] about Story Cellars Sets Sights High On Zinfandel

Simpatico Cellars opened a tasting room in Woodinville’s Warehouse District in late 2019. It’s the journey of three winemakers who feel the best wines often come about through collaboration. Co-owners Craig Sosey, Cassie Wistrom and Tim Steinke had all worked in wine prior to going into business together. They were part of the same production cohort at Northwest Wine … [Read more...] about Simpatico Cellars Opens in Woodinville

After years as a successful Yakima Valley farmer, Rob Valicoff Jr. was inspired by his late wife Stephanie to plant a four-acre vineyard on the farm in 2011. Rob and Stephanie’s intention was to make enough wine to share with friends and family. The first vintage was bottled in 2013. With such fertile soil in the Rattlesnake Hills area, that four-acre vineyard soon grew beyond … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Valicoff Estates

Terry and Kriss Wells began working on their inaugural vintage for Love That Red Winery in 2013, later debuting their first bottles in 2015. The Wells recently transitioned into a larger and more prominent tasting room in Woodinville’s Warehouse District (formerly Sparkman Cellars). The winery gets its name from a family racehorse that was named after a punchy, bright red … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Love That Red Winery

Vintner Mari Womack possesses the steely determination it takes to run a boutique winemaking operation these days. Even when faced with the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Like a number of winery owners in the state, Mari was in the midst of moving her business last spring when the government shutdown happened in March 2020. She admits that government … [Read more...] about Damsel Cellars Inaugural Mourvèdre Release

With tasting rooms in Walla Walla and downtown Seattle, Browne Family Vineyards has opened a third one in Tacoma, not far from the Point Defiance Zoo. “The excitement and vitality of the Proctor District, along with its charming neighborhood feel, is what really attracted us to this fantastic location,” says proprietor Andrew Browne. Renowned for exceptional quality and … [Read more...] about Browne Family Vineyards Expands With Tacoma Area Tasting Room

Winemaker Lisa Warr-King Packer works with notable growers around Washington to produce blends and single varietals. She coaxes immense character and depth from wines made in small lots, often complexly blended with fruit from up to four different AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), particularly Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope and Royal Slope AVAs, as well as the Columbia … [Read more...] about 5 Releases from Warr-King Wines

Leading wine critics recently lauded Mercer Bros. Cabernet Sauvignon as one of the top 100 wines of the past year. Comprehensive quality control in the vineyards allows Mercer Estates Winery owners Rob and Brenda Mercer to deliver exciting estate-grown wines at quite exceptional values. Their tiered brands offer satisfaction at any price point, from value-driven reds and whites … [Read more...] about 11 Releases from Mercer Estates

C&C Cellars 2017 Vita Migliore 91 pts. This bold red wine delivers volume without being weighty, offering a broad, sleek texture and rich-tasting Marionberry and plum mingled with earthy notes of cedary oak, loam, gravel and spice. Offers a persevering finish with deep concentration that goes well beyond the norm at this modest price point. $19.99 … [Read more...] about C&C Cellars 2017 Vita Migliore, $19.99

Consistency and quality-to-price ratio both play a big role in the overall success of any winery nowadays. After all, savvy buyers recognize quality; and they understand it can jump exponentially from various price tiers. Eye of the Needle proprietors Bob and Lauren Bullock have paid meticulous care in selecting fruit from trusted, premium sources for the past dozen years. This … [Read more...] about 5 Releases from Eye of the Needle Winery